Younger drivers are responsible for the majority of crashes across North Wales over the last five years, figures have revealed.

A survey commissioned by Select Car Leasing after Prince Phillip's crash near Sandringham last month found more than a third of motorists thought people aged over 60 should take another test.

But statistics obtained from North Wales Police (NWP) under a Freedom of Information request show younger drivers - particularly men - are involved in or caused far more crashes than older age groups.

Between 2014 and 2018, there were 1,817 drivers aged between 17 and 25 involved in collisions where somebody was injured; with 1,739 aged between 26 and 35; 1,504 aged between 36 and 45; 1,560 aged between 46 and 55; 1,035 aged between 56 and 65; 625 aged between 66 and 75; 347 aged between 76 and 85; and 80 who were aged over 85.

Total number of drivers involved in injury collisions by age across North Wales 2014-18

North Wales Police FOI

In addition, between 2014 and 2018, there were 1,161 drivers aged between 17 and 25 who contributed to or caused a collision where a person was injured; with 880 aged between 26 and 35; 672 aged between 36 and 45; 679 aged between 46 and 55; 479 aged between 56 and 65; 326 aged between 66 and 75; 234 aged between 76 and 85; and 63 aged over 85.

Total number of drivers contributing to, or causing an injury collision by age across North Wales 2014-18

North Wales Police FOI

The figures showed the chance of being involved in a crash decreased as a driver got older.

They also showed the difference between the sexes, with men far more likely to be involved in collisions than women in the same age bracket.

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Between the ages of 17 and 35, male drivers contributed to or caused an injury collision 1,581 times, while for women it was 603.

Between the ages of 36 and 55, it was men 956 times and women 394 times; between 56 and 75, the figure for men was 558 times and for women 247 times; and aged 76 and over, men were involved 212 times and women 85 times.

Age of males and females contributing to, or causing injury collisions

North Wales Police FOI

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “If we were to restrict driving based on age and safety, then we’d be more likely to restrict young rather than older drivers.

“Young and mainly male drivers are more likely to crash within six months of passing their test than older drivers within six months of hanging up their keys.

“Older drivers often and progressively self-impose restrictions on their driving by sticking to familiar roads or avoiding driving at night or in bad weather. When to stop should be based on advice from your GP or family rather than some arbitrary age limit."

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Collisions where there is damage only and no injuries are not recorded by police.

Police officers can enter up to six contributory factors they believe caused or contributed to a collision, which can make a driver at fault.

Inspector Gareth Jones of the North Wales Roads Policing Unit said: “The number of younger drivers involved in collisions is significantly higher than those involving older people.

“There are different issues associated with young driver collisions compared to those involving more mature drivers.

"North Wales Police, along with our other emergency services partners, have a robust strategy to raise awareness and educate drivers about the Deadly Impact Programme, incorporating the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, drink and drug driving, dangerous and careless driving including unnecessary risk taking, and using a mobile phone while driving.

“The risk of being seriously injured or killed rises dramatically if a decision is taken to commit a ‘Fatal 5’ offence, and I want people to be aware that we will continue enforce the law.”